In an era where social media presence is one of the biggest factors determining where people choose to eat, it’s not enough for restaurants to have great food and a good vibe––they must also be well-versed in the world of social media marketing. Why? Because with a million options to choose from, it’s the restaurants with the most drool-worthy and engaging Instagram pages that will stand out. 

If you’re a restaurant that needs to up their social media game, check out these 5 restaurant marketing strategies to help you make waves in a tsunami of options.

Tip 1: Know Your Audience and Platforms 

Before you can start posting content and engaging with your customers, you need to know who you’re talking to. The way you engage will need to change depending on your audience.

A 2022 survey from MGH, a marketing agency that specializes in restaurants, found that 53% of Millennial TikTok users have ordered from a restaurant after seeing it on the platform. Gen Z, on the other hand, is more attracted to authenticity and transparency in brands and is 72% more likely to support a restaurant that contributes to social causes. Your content needs to be curated to who you want to interact with so that you can build a loyal base of consumers.

Once you have the right content for your audience, you need to be conscious of where you are posting it. You are less likely to reach a Gen Z or Millennial audience on Facebook, yet you are bound to connect with those demographics on platforms like Instagram or TikTok. The success of your social media marketing strategy starts with knowing exactly who you are talking to and what you want to say.

Tip 2: Create Mouthwatering Visual Content 

Social media managers might argue your content needs to look as good as it tastes. And we’d agree. High-quality pictures and videos of your food you can practically smell and taste inspire your audience to come try it for themselves. 

Visual content that represents your brand’s personality will increase engagement across your social media pages. Wendy’s, a top-five restaurant brand with a mastery of social media, generates an average of 2,417 reactions on each post through their use of meme-like content and casual brand voice. A well-curated stream of high-quality content might be what motivates a consumer to walk into your restaurant instead of hitting up your competition.

Tip 3: Engage with Your Audience 

Engaging restaurant consumers online through comments, direct messages, and interactive content is key when it comes to standing out from the crowd. But engagement only gets you so far––your response time should also be as fast as possible. This is your chance to show off your brand’s personality while receiving feedback directly from your consumers. And it’s an opportunity to make a genuine community out of your consumer base.

Some ways you can increase engagement are by taking advantage of user-generated content or leveraging influencer partnerships. Posting interactive content to your feed that inspires your audience to take action can also help you motivate more people to interact with your page. 

Tip 4: Utilize User-Generated Content 

Taking advantage of user-generated content is the best way to build trust with your audience because people tend to trust the authentic experiences of other consumers. Bright Local, a web-based SEO tool, found that 84% of people trust online reviews as much as their friends’ reviews when deciding where to eat. In other words, let your audience become your advertisers. 

Your employees are your restaurant’s brand ambassadors, and get the most one-on-one time with guests. Have them encourage customers to write online reviews about their positive experiences whenever appropriate.

Tip 5: Promote Special Offers and Events 

Social media is one of the most effective ways to promote special offers, events, and discounts. Use it to your advantage by creating content that generates excitement in your audience and drives more traffic to your page. Brands like Chipotle and Sonic Drive-In use their pages to promote charity drives and to move merchandise. Promoting special offers and exclusive events gives people a reason to come dine with you and check back regularly for more. 

Implementing social media marketing in your restaurant is a great way to differentiate yourself from competitors and dominate the market––when done right. The best social media presence is one that is consistent, creative, and responsive to its audience. Social media marketing can help your restaurant: increasing brand awareness, enhancing customer engagement, building authenticity and trust, promoting special offers and events, and granting you direct lines of insight and feedback from consumers. By following the above advice and staying up to date on the latest trends, you are sure to come out on top. 

If you still aren’t sure about where to start with your social media journey, Push has experts that would love to help. Check out our full menu of services and work with other restaurants here.